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How to get an electrician license in Wisconsin

Hours, exam, fees, renewal and continuing education for Wisconsin, pulled from official WI sources and checked .

Quick answer
  • Licensing body: Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS)
  • State journeyman license: Yes (DSPS licenses journeyman and master electricians statewide (Wis. Admin. Code ch. SPS 305).)
  • Journeyman Electrician: 8,000 hours of experience installing, repairing and maintaining electrical wiring over at least 48 months, or completion of a construction electrician apprenticeship of at least 3 years approved by the U.S. Department of Labor or the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development. A 2-year electrical-related degree or diploma counts as 12 months and 2,000 hours.
  • Exam: open book, via Pearson
  • Code edition: The journeyman and master exams allow the 2023 National Electrical Code (or Handbook) as the code reference.

Requirements by license

Journeyman Electrician

Experience8,000 hours of experience installing, repairing and maintaining electrical wiring over at least 48 months, or completion of a construction electrician apprenticeship of at least 3 years approved by the U.S. Department of Labor or the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development. A 2-year electrical-related degree or diploma counts as 12 months and 2,000 hours.Source: dsps.wi.gov · as of
ExamPearson. Open book. 100 questions, 4 hours. Open book, 70% to pass. Only three references are allowed: one three-ring binder with SPS 305, SPS 316 and your printed notes; the 2023 NEC or NEC Handbook; and up to two bound reference books (for example Ugly's or Mike Holt). No loose paper, sticky notes or removable tabs.Source: dsps.wi.gov · as of · Question count and seat time: dsps.wi.gov
Fees
  • Application: $35
  • Credential (license): $100
  • Exam (paid to Pearson): $95
  • Exam (paid to DSPS): $30
Source: dsps.wi.gov · as of · Exam fees: dsps.wi.gov
RenewalEvery 4 years. Expires June 30 at the end of the 4-year term. You can renew in LicensE about 4 weeks before; DSPS emails instructions. $100 to renew; $25 late CE fee; $200 reinstatement fee.Source: dsps.wi.gov · as of · Renewal steps: dsps.wi.gov
CE to renew24 hours per 4-year renewal
  • Approved courses entered by the course provider in LicensE
You cannot submit the renewal until the provider has entered all 24 hours. CE finished after the license expires needs a late CE fee.
Source: dsps.wi.gov · as of · Provider list: dsps.wi.gov

Master Electrician

ExperienceOne of: a bachelor's or master's degree in electrical engineering; 12 months of experience while licensed as a journeyman electrician; or 10,000 hours of experience over at least 60 months.Source: dsps.wi.gov · as of
ExamPearson. Open book. 50 questions, 4 hours. Same open-book rules as the journeyman exam.Source: dsps.wi.gov · as of
Fees
  • Application: $35
  • Credential (license): $200
  • Exam (paid to Pearson): $95
  • Exam (paid to DSPS): $30
Source: dsps.wi.gov · as of · Exam fees: dsps.wi.gov
RenewalEvery 4 years. Expires June 30 at the end of the 4-year term. $200 to renew; $25 late CE fee; $200 reinstatement fee.Source: dsps.wi.gov · as of
CE to renew24 hours per 4-year renewal
  • Approved courses entered by the course provider in LicensE
Same rules as the journeyman license.
Source: dsps.wi.gov · as of · Provider list: dsps.wi.gov

License types in Wisconsin

  • Journeyman Electrician
  • Master Electrician
  • Residential Journeyman Electrician
  • Residential Master Electrician
  • Industrial Journeyman Electrician
  • Registered Electrician and Electrical Apprentice
  • Electrical Contractor (business)
Source: dsps.wi.gov · as of

Reciprocity (licensed in another state?)

Wisconsin grants a journeyman license by reciprocity to holders of a journeyman license earned by state exam in Iowa or New Hampshire, and a master license to holders of a master license earned by state exam in Iowa.Source: dsps.wi.gov · as of · Master: dsps.wi.gov

What we couldn't confirm yet

We only publish what we can tie to an official source. These items aren't published anywhere we could verify, so ask the office listed:

FAQ

Does Wisconsin have a state journeyman electrician license?

Yes. DSPS licenses journeyman electricians; you need 8,000 hours over at least 48 months or a 3-year approved apprenticeship, then you pass the exam.

Is the Wisconsin journeyman electrician exam open book?

Yes. The exam is open book with a 70% passing score, and you may bring one binder with SPS 305, SPS 316 and printed notes, the 2023 NEC and up to two bound reference books.

How do you become a master electrician in Wisconsin?

You need 12 months of experience as a licensed journeyman, 10,000 hours over at least 60 months, or an electrical engineering degree, and then you pass the master exam.

Does Wisconsin have electrician license reciprocity?

Wisconsin grants journeyman licenses by reciprocity to exam-earned journeymen from Iowa or New Hampshire, and master licenses to exam-earned masters from Iowa.

Already licensed? See Wisconsin electrician license renewal & CE requirements.

Other states

Compare every state side by side: license requirements by state · renewal & CE by state.